As you become older, your skin wrinkles, your muscles weaken, you slow down, your organs slow down, and your hair also loses its luster. As a result, the color and texture of one's hair naturally alter with age. The hair starts to turn grey & even their texture change like they become thin. Yes! Hair starts to become thin with age. But why does your hair thin as you age?
As we age, our hair fibers thin and fall out; regrettably, they cannot be replaced. As you get older, your hair's pigment changes naturally. Previously your once thick, chestnut hair starts to thin down and grey; it's likely because your pigment cells have stopped producing as much pigment.
But one can make efforts to avoid thin hair with age. So let's get to know the ways to do it & more about thin hair due to aging.
Does your hair naturally thin as you get older?
Yes, our hair starts to become thin due to body processes as we age. This happens naturally due to changes in the body. It's because the scalp's stem cells are constantly regenerating. Hair follicles appear to shrink as a result of mutations in these cells, resulting in a loss of hair density.
Several samples of skin from the scalps of women from 22 to 70 years of age were studied by researchers. According to researchers, genetic abnormalities in follicle stem cells are associated with the shrinking of hair follicles in older women.
Why does your hair thin as you age?
The hair starts to thin with age due to several reasons & it is not just the scalp's stem cells responsible for this. Let's have a look at all those reasons that results in hair becoming thin with age:
1) Acceleration in hair shedding
Every day, roughly 100 hairs are shed, but as you get older, this process speeds up, making your hair appear thinner, especially around the head. Hair regrowth is also reduced, and hair follicles may stop producing hairs altogether.
2) Menopause
During menopause, the monthly menstrual cycle of a woman ceases. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop as a result of this. When these hormones are present, hair grows faster and stays on the head longer. There are fewer hairs when there is less hormone present, making the hair appear thinner.
3) Slow nutrient processing
Some nutrients, such as iron, which is necessary for good hair, are less efficiently processed by the body as you age. Thin, lifeless hair can result from an iron deficiency because healthy red blood cells transport oxygenated blood to the scalp and hair follicles.
4) Reduced hormones
Male and female hormones have an impact on hair follicle development. Androgens, which include testosterone, are a group of male hormones. These hormones are responsible for stimulating hair development throughout the body and thicker hair on the head.
The production of these hormones declines as we get older, resulting in thinning hair and decreased hair growth.
5) Nutrient deficient Diet
As you age, your body becomes slow to process nutrients, but there is still a need for nutrients. So when the body doesn't get enough nutrients, it affects hair also, resulting in thin hair.
6) Thyroid
If you have thyroid with age, it will definitely result in thin hair. Hair thinning and balding are both common occurrences. In addition, the hair on your scalp and in other places, including your eyebrows, may thin as a result of this.
Why does hair get thinner with age?
Protein strands are the building blocks of hair. Hair has a usual lifespan of two to seven years per strand. However, there is a good chance that most people will lose some hair as they age. Both men and women lose their hair as they age for a variety of causes, including hormonal imbalances and nutritional inadequacies, as well as inherited traits and endocrine illnesses.
As we become older and our environment changes, certain follicles stop producing new hair. In time, hair fibers thin and fall out; sadly, they cannot be replaced.
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How to keep hair from thinning with age?
Hair starts to become thin with age & they cannot be cured to the same condition before as there are genes involved in it. But still, you can take care of this hair to keep the state of hair the same. Here are some ways to make thin hair look better:
1) Eat a complete diet
It's impossible to regulate your hair's health through genetics or age, but you can improve it by eating a balanced diet.
Protein is the primary constituent of hair follicles, so they should not be ignored when considering dietary supplements. Conversely, hair loss has been linked to a deficiency in protein.
Protein, iron, and other nutrients should be included in your diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is essential. Even if you don't take a multivitamin, you should.
2) Keep yourself hydrated
Hair follicle cells need water to stay hydrated at all times. Additionally, it facilitates the passage of nutrients into and out of cells from the “internal sea” in which they are immersed. Therefore, the majority of recommendations call for 6 to 8 glasses of water every day.
3) Get hormone boost supplements.
Hair quality can be improved with estrogen hormone replacement therapy if you're ready to try it. Please consult your doctor about this issue again. Another option is to increase your intake of plant estrogens such as isoflavones and lignans.
According to research, consuming more lignans (in pumpkin seed oil, flaxseed oil, and sweet potato) is linked to less hair loss and more growth.
4) Switch to Caffeine Shampoo
In addition to boosting energy, caffeine administered directly to the scalp offers two other benefits. First, blood flow is improved by relaxing the muscles surrounding hair follicles.
In addition, the supplement inhibits 5–reductase, an enzyme that transforms testosterone into dihydrotestosterone in scalp hair follicles and is linked to male and female pattern hair loss.
So using a caffeine shampoo will help you control the hair thinning in old age.
5) Some other lifestyle changes
- Avoid putting yourself under too much pressure.
- Use your fingers to massage your scalp on a daily basis to stimulate the flow of blood.
- Green tea caffeine in shampoo inhibits the creation of DHT while also promoting hair growth.
- Find out if you require any tests to check your thyroid function, serum ferritin levels to check for anemia, or if any other hormonal imbalances are likely by consulting with your doctor.
- Avoid sugary and greasy snacks that are low in nutrients.
- The number one enemy of your hair is too much salt, so avoid it in old age.
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At what age hair growth stops in male?
Hair loss is a common side effect of aging for nearly everyone. Hair growth slows as well. It is possible for men to show signs of baldness by the time they are 30 years old. Their hair starts to become thin from their thirties.
Age 60 is when most men are nearly bald & their hair growth slows & finally stops. Male-pattern baldness is a kind of baldness that is linked to the appropriate functioning of the male hormone testosterone.
What causes hair loss in an elderly woman?
The rate of hair growth slows substantially as one gets older. Hair thinning and loss affects both men and women, although women's hair is often longer than men's, making it more obvious.
Women's hair follicles slow down as they become older, resulting in slower hair growth. As a result, the hair on the head appears sparse and uneven since there isn't enough hair creation to replace it.
Moreover, elderly women's hair development may be hampered by a deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals.
Hair loss is a common adverse effect of several medications. Taken by an older lady who is already prone to hair thinning, this kind of medication may speed up the process.
A chronic condition impairs hair development and production is more common in older women than in younger women, who are less likely to suffer.
Does your hair get thinner the longer it gets?
Many people, especially women, experience this & yes, it is true that the hair gets thinner the longer they get. It's because the hair's ends wear out over time.
After a lengthy period of time without regular trimmings or dustings, your hair naturally breaks and splits, resulting in part of the hair snapping off at a lower length. That's why the hair looks thinner as they get become long.
This may be avoided with regular trimming and good hair habits.
Bottom Line
So this was all about hair thinning with age. We hope now you know why does your hair thin as you age and the ways to make them better.
Please let us know your thoughts & suggestions in the comments below if you found this article helpful & informative.
Thank you for reading!